Safety handle



May 24, 1955 w. BOGDANSKI SAFETY HANDLE Filod A ug. 13, 1954 1 I'll! 4 If lllllrlll BOGDANJK/ INVENTOR United States Patent SAFETY HANDLE V William Bogdanskhocean Falls, British Columbia,

Canada Application August 13, 1954, Serial No. 449,730

3 Claims. (Cl.-190-6 1) The present invention relates generally to suitcases and other containers and specifically to a handle adapted to contain a link chain and padlock for securing the handle to a stanchion or rack in a train or aircraft for the purpose of preventing theft or accidental dislodging of the suitcase from the rack.

Many devices have been proposed for locking a handle of a case or container of money to the wrist or hand of the person using the container, and many of the devices are in the form of handcuffs, wrist bands, and the like. The present device has an important feature not found in the presently available devices, which mostly are cumbersome affairs when in unassembled condition, and give the appearance of much complicated apparatus even when locked to the hand or wrist.

The feature of the present invention is that the chain or tether which is used to encircle the rack bar or stanchion of a baggage rack, but may as well encircle the wrist or arm of a user, when not in use is not seen nor does it suggest the appearance of a locking device.

The present invention therefore has for its principle object to provide a device by means of which a suitcase, briefcase, or other portable container may be locked in place on a baggage rack, on a fixed stanchion, or on the Wrist or arm of a courier.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which when in folded, non-used condition is not visible nor is any part of it within sight to suggest the presence of the locking device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a locking device for a suitcase which is incorporated into the structure of the handle, and which may be installed on many suitcases presently in use without any alteration of the handle attaching means, and which may be installed or removed by anyone with few if any special tools.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a simply constructed and easily manufactured handle using ordinary materials and having its shape and conformation similar to handles presently in use, and one which is comfortable to the hand in either condition of use, with the locking feature in action or in folded condition.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of the invention as installed on a container such as a suitcase,

Figure 2 is an end view of the invention,

Figure 3 is a side view in cross section as seen on line 3-3 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view as seen on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring in more detail to the drawing, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, it will be seen that the invention consists of a handle made from an upstanding support rod of U-shape, with its legs 11 substantially parallel and ending in transversely ice disposed short lengths of tubing members 12, brazed or welded thereon, by means of which the handle is secured to the container, here indicated at 13, the pins 14 of the container extending through the tubing member 12 and being anchored in bosses 15, in a conventional manner of construction of handles for suitcases and the like. This method of construction is well known and usually one end of the pin is provided with a taper to jam fit in the boss at that end, and requiring only a thin punch to remove.

The support rod 10 is provided on its side opposite the bight portion and opposite the legs with an eye formation 16,. in which is secured one end of a tether member 17, which may be a light-weight chain or woven cable, and at the other end of which is a loop 18 to receive the hasp portion of a padlock, indicated generally at 19. If a chain is used, obviously the padlock can enter any one of the links to form a locked loop for encircling a stanchion or bar portion of a baggage rack in a train, aircraft, or other vehicle to prevent theft or accidental dislodging of the suitcase from the rack.

The handle is padded within the bight and on each side front and back thereof, and down each leg, tapering more or less to the ends to form a neat appearance, while over the top of the support rod, around the eye formation and on the opposite side from the legs and the bight, the padding 21 is omitted to form a cavity or recess in which the tether member is stored when not in use. A slide fastener 22 extends on the outer face of the handle and partially down each leg so that the recess may be opened as widely as possible to receive the chain and the padlock. A cover 23 of leather or other fabric is suitable for the handle and provides on the padded side a comfortable grip for carrying the suitcase or other container to which the handle is attached.

As is obviously apparent, when the tether member is in use, the slide fastener may be partially closed, but whether closed or open, the handle may be carried, and when used by a courier the chain may be passed up one sleeve and fastened around the neck or shoulder. Obviously this is added protection to the courier, requiring more effort to unlock and remove than a handcuff or wrist device, and of course being more obvious to any onlooker. When in folded condition and the fastener drawn shut, the handle has little appearance to suggest the safety feature contained in its recess and available instantly for any pertinent and practical use desired.

It will be seen therefore, that while a single embodiment of the invention has been here shown and described, the handle padding may be omitted, and the whole of the handle excepting the rod be properly formed of plastic, or it may be provided with padding and a plastic cover, other changes may suggest themselves in the construction and manufacture of the present invention, and other embodiments made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A handle for a container comprising an upstanding U-shaped support rod having its legs adapted and arranged to be secured to a container for support thereof, said support rod being provided on its bight with an eye formation, a flexible tether member secured by one end to said formation and formed with a loop at its other end adapted and arranged to receive the hasp portion of a padlock therethrough, a cover for said rod, said cover including padding on said legs and within the bight of said rod and forming on the side of said rod opposite said bight a recess adapted to receive said tether member in folded condition, and a closure member on said cover normally closing said recess.

2. A handle for a container comprising an upstanding U-shaped support rod having its legs adapted and arranged to be swivelly secured to a container for support thereof, said support rod being provided on its bight with an eye formation midlength thereof and on the side opposite said legs, a flexible tether member secured by one end to said formation and formed with a loop at the other end adapted and arranged to receive the hasp portion of a padlock therethrough, a cover for said rod and said legs, said cover including padding extending along the legs, said padding being disposed within the bight of said rod and on the front and back sides thereof, said cover being formed with a recess on the side opposite said bight and legs adapted to receive said tether member in folded condition, and a slide fastener on said cover extending partially down each leg and being adapted to Secure said cover over said tether member in folded condition.

3. A handle for a container comprising an upstanding U-shaped support rod, a transversely disposed tubing member secured to each leg of said rod at the end thereof, said tubing member being adapted and arranged to be swivelly supported on a container for support thereof, said support rod being provided on its bight with an eye formation midlength thereof and on the side opposite said legs, a flexible tether member secured by one end to said formation and formed with a loop at the other end adapted and arranged to receive the hasp portion of a padlock therethrough, a cover for said rod and said legs, said cover including padding extending along the legs, said padding being disposed within the bight of said rod and on the front and back sides thereof, said cover being formed with a recess on the side opposite said bight and legs adapted to receive said tether member in folded condition, and a slide fastener on said cover extending partially down each leg and being adapted to secure said cover over said tether member in folded condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

